Medical Assistant - Diploma
In less than one year, you can have a rewarding job in health care. Apply a variety of medical procedural functions on patients who need your compassion.
The Medical Assistant Program prepares students for employment in a private physician’s office, clinic, and health related agencies.
This program is three semesters in length and is conducted over a period of 11 months. Educational development of each student is directed toward the application of accurate knowledge in practical situations, making judgments, applying reason, thinking independently and engaging in problem solving. The program normally begins in the fall and continues through the summer months when students gain supervised clinical experience in a physician’s office. Upon completion of the Medical Assistant Program, graduates are eligible to write the national certification examination for Certified Medical Assistants administered by the American Association of Medical Assistants.
Expectations of the Medical Assistant Program are to prepare competent entry-level medical assistants in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skill), and affective (behavior) learning domains.
SCC’s Medical Assistant Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Program (www.caahep.org) upon the recommendation of Medical Assisting Education Review Board (MAERB).
Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Program
9355 - 113th St. N, #7709
Seminole, FL 33775
Telephone: (727) 210-2350
FAX: (727) 210-2354
www.caahep.org
Medical Assisting Education Review Board
2020 N. California Ave., #213, Suite 7
Chicago, IL 60647
Telephone: 800-228-2262
www.maerb.org
The Medical Assistant Program at Southeastern Community College (SCC) has a job placement rate of 100% for the graduate year of 2019. The exam passage rate for the 2019 graduate year was 100%.
For specific information regarding program rules and expectations, please view the Medical Assistant Program Handbook
West Burlington campus
*Health professions student outcomes are available on the Consumer Information page.
Medical Assistant - Diploma
Admissions standards apply to this program. Please contact the Student Support Center for more details.
Admission Requirements
- Complete and attain minimums in standardized scores within 24 months of review for
acceptance into the program:
- ACT
- Reading: 19
- Math: 19
- SAT
- Reading/Writing: 330
- Math: 510
- Next-Gen ACCUPLACER:
- Reading: 248
- ALEKS:
- Math: 14
- ACT
Additional Requirements
- Students will be required to pass a mandatory background check.
- Students will be required to submit (at their own expense) a completed physical examination form and immunizations for health care providers.
- Current certification in CPR-Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers**.
- Current certification in Mandatory Reporter-Adult & Child Abuse**.
- Satisfy "Essential Functions" guidelines.
- Return of Handbook consent forms as directed in orientation.
**Certifications may be obtained at Southeastern Community College. Students should work with a Student Success Advocate for the appropriate courses and dates to obtain these certifications.
All health career programs require students to earn a grade of "C" (2.0) or above in all coursework within the program. All other eligibility requirements must be met.
Summary Sheet
The summary sheet provides a program overview and other information.
Curriculum Sequence |
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Prerequisite | Course Title | Credit |
BIO-163 | Essentials of Anatomy and Physiology | 4 |
Semester Total: | 4 | |
Fall Semester I | Course Title | Credit |
HSC-114 | Medical Terminology | 3 |
MAP-121 | Administrative Procedures I: Medical Office | 4 |
MAP-139 | Introduction to Electronic Health Records | 2 |
MAP-364 | Clinical Procedures for Medical Office I | 7 |
MAP-431 | Human Relations | 1 |
Semester Total: | 17 | |
Spring Semester I | Course Title | Credit |
HIT-211 | Basic Medical Insurance and Coding | 3 |
MAP-122 | Administrative Procedures II: Medical Office | 3 |
MAP-369 | Clinical Procedures for Medical Office II | 7 |
MAP-370 | Specialty Procedures | 4 |
MAP-401 | Medical Law and Ethics | 1 |
MAP-532 | Human Body: Health and Disease | 3 |
Semester Total: | 21 | |
Summer Semester | Course Title | Credit |
MAP-602 | Clinical Externship Seminar | 1 |
MAP-615 | Clinical Externship | 5 |
Semester Total: | 6 | |
PROGRAM TOTAL: | 48 |
BIO-163 - Essentials of Anatomy and Physiology |
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Lecture: 3 |
Lab: 2 |
Credit: 4 |
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This introductory course is designed for the student needing a one-semester combined anatomy and physiology course with laboratory. All systems will be covered with greater emphasis on the cardiovascular, respiratory, immune and urinary systems. This course also provides background for the more advanced courses BIO-168 and BIO-173. |
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HSC-114 - Medical Terminology |
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Lecture: 2 |
Lab: 2 |
Credit: 3 |
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This course is designed to study the basic language related to medical science with emphasis on word analysis, construction, definitions, pronunciations, spelling and standard abbreviations. |
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MAP-121 - Administrative Procedures I: Medical Office |
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Lecture: 2 |
Lab: 4 |
Credit: 4 |
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This course is designed to acquaint students with the front-office administrative responsibilities of the medical assistant. The student will develop competency in written communication skills, including editing practice, sentence revision, paragraph writing and exercises in grammar, mechanics and usage. Other competencies will include appointment scheduling, telephone techniques, recording and filing medical records, processing mail, billing and collection procedures, banking services, accounting methods and payroll preparation. The student will also be introduced to preparation of professional medical meetings, travel arrangements and development of professional reports. The content of the course is adapted to the 2015 approved standards of CAAHEP. Prerequisite: BIO-163 |
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MAP-139 - Introduction to Electronic Health Records |
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Lecture: 1 |
Lab: 2 |
Credit: 2 |
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Introduction to Electronic Health Records involves the student in the management and application of health records. This includes the implementation and management of electronic schedule, creating patient medical record, management of immunization, electronic correspondence, laws and regulation of medical records. Prerequisite: 35 wpm timed typing test score. Corequisite: MAP-121. |
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MAP-364 - Clinical Procedures for Medical Office I |
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Lecture: 3 |
Lab: 8 |
Credit: 7 |
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This course includes the numerous competencies required to assist the physician with patient examinations. Fundamental skills include: aseptic techniques and the sterilization of medical supplies; the psychological and physical preparation of the patient for a medical examination; preparation of surgical trays and assisting with minor surgeries; and the performance of routine urinalysis as ordered by the physician. Prerequisite: Acceptance into the program. |
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MAP-431 - Human Relations |
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Lecture: 1 |
Credit: 1 |
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This course includes fundamental principles related to human relations. Basic psychological and developmental theorists, factors that influence behavior, professional attitudes and behavior, self-improvement, and communication in the health care setting are emphasized. |
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HIT-211 - Basic Medical Insurance and Coding |
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Lecture: 2 |
Lab: 2 |
Credit: 3 |
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This course is designed to assist students in understanding the complexities of current insurance procedures encountered in today's medical facilities. The student will be familiarized with claims submission for programs such as Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Medicaid, Medicare, CHAMPUS/CHAMPVA and Worker's Compensation. A comprehensive unit on CPT Procedural Coding as well as ICD-10-CM Diagnostic Coding is incorporated into the course. Managed health care is explored in depth. Prerequisites or Corequisites: HSC-114 and BIO-163. |
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MAP-122 - Administrative Procedures II: Medical Office |
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Lecture: 2 |
Lab: 2 |
Credit: 3 |
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This course introduces basic computer concepts and emphasizes the practical applications approach using simulated medical office management programs. The student is guided through a series of computer applications that highlight the most common aspects of the modern medical office including electronic claim filing. Resume development and job-seeking skills are also presented. Prerequisites: MAP-121, MAP-139, MAP-364, MAP-431, BIO-163 and HSC-114. |
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MAP-369 - Clinical Procedures for Medical Office II |
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Lecture: 4 |
Lab: 6 |
Credit: 7 |
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This course is designed to acquaint the student with the knowledge and skills required in the preparation, administration and documentation of various forms of medications. Dosage calculations and the physiological actions of drugs on the human body are addressed. Students will gain knowledge of venipuncture and use of quality controls. The student will gain knowledge of blood chemistries, serology, microbiology and hematology. Student will gain knowledge regarding the electronic medical record and its application in the clinical setting. Prerequisite: Successful completion of all fall semester curriculum. |
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MAP-370 - Specialty Procedures |
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Lecture: 2 |
Lab: 4 |
Credit: 4 |
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This course expands on basic clinical procedures with advanced theory, techniques and knowledge in specialty procedures and practice. Students will also focus on knowledge and skills to prepare and respond to emergency situations in a medical practice. Prerequisite: MAP-364. Corequisite: MAP-369. |
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MAP-401 - Medical Law and Ethics |
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Lecture: 1 |
Credit: 1 |
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This course is designed to expose the student to legal concepts of standard of care, scope of employment, criminal and civil acts, contract, negligence and ethical concepts. |
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MAP-532 - Human Body: Health and Disease |
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Lecture: 3 |
Credit: 3 |
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This course is designed to acquaint the student with the basic concepts and characteristics of disease processes, to impart basic knowledge of the etiology of the disease and to enable the student to understand the relationship between clinical signs and the disease process. Diagnostic tests and common treatments will be discussed. Concepts of health promotion and client education will be emphasized. Prerequisite: BIO-163. |
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MAP-602 - Clinical Externship Seminar |
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Lecture: 1 |
Credit: 1 |
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A discussion of job related problems and study of current medical office procedures. Prerequisites: All previous program classes and student must successfully complete and obtain the mandatory reporter certificate for adult and child abuse. Corequisite: MAP-615. |
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MAP-615 - Clinical Externship |
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Lecture: 0 |
OJT: 20 |
Credit: 5 |
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Following successful completion of the academic hours, the student is placed in a selected physician's office for a two-month required clinical practicum, working directly under supervision. A balance of learning experiences in both the administrative and clinical areas of the medical facility will be provided for the student during this training period. Students do not receive monetary compensation for externship experience. Prerequisites: All previous program classes. Corequisite: MAP-602. |
Megan Massner - Instructor, (319) 208-5000 ext. 5203
Email: mmassner@scciowa.edu
Diploma, Southeastern Community College
Deb Shaffer - Instructor/Coordinator, (319) 208-5000 ext. 5213
Email: dshaffer@scciowa.edu
AAS, Mt. St. Clare College
ADN, Southeastern Community College
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